Raphael Netz: From up-and-coming talent to the world rankings

Raphael Netz's career

Born in Wiesbaden, Raphael Netz showed an extraordinary enthusiasm for horses at the age of two. Although his family had no connection to equestrian sports, that didn't stop him. He took his first riding lessons at the age of four and soon became inseparable from his first horse, a three-year-old Haflinger named Aki. With Aki, he enjoyed both serious dressage riding and exuberant jumping and playing. At the age of 13, the pair celebrated their first major success when they won their first ribbon in an advanced dressage competition.

Without any big-name trainers in the background, Netz continued to develop as a self-taught rider, supported by videos and his own observations. He made it into the state squad and was able to ride ponies owned by other people. However, he lacked the financial means to compete at the very top level.

The road to Aubenhausen

A decisive turning point in his career came when Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, currently ranked number one in the world, noticed Netz's riding videos on social media. She invited the then 17-year-old to ride in Aubenhausen. Here, he not only found a new sporting home, but also a family in his private life. Under the guidance of Jessica and Benjamin Werndl, Netz developed into a top rider and won six gold medals at the U25 European Championships.

When we visited him in Aubenhausen, the dressage rider told us what life was like for him there, why he enjoys working with horses so much, and what he has learned. Watch now!

Raphael Netz also successfully completed his first World Cup tournaments and was able to participate in many tournaments during his time in Aubenhausen, continuously improving his skills with the horses. Particularly noteworthy are his successes with Great Escape Camelot, a son of Johnson, with whom he reached 20th place in the world rankings.

The step into independence

After eight years in Aubenhausen, Raphael Netz decided to strike out on a new path together with his girlfriend, U25 rider Selina Söder. On May 1, 2024, the couple moved with their horses to the Weiglschwaig estate in Moosburg an der Isar, where they lease a stable. Netz's top horses, such as Great Escape Camelot and Dieudonné, are with them, as are In2ition and several young horses. In an interview, Raphael said that it had always been clear to him that he wanted to stand on his own two feet at some point. Now seemed like the right time to take the plunge and start his own business. After learning that a stable wing was becoming available at the Weiglschwaig estate, he contacted the operator of the Weiglschwaig estate. The chemistry between Philipp Mücke and Raphael Netz was right, and so he was able to move into the new stable with his girlfriend Selina Söder and his horses on May 1, 2024. Even though Aubenhausen will always be a home for Netz, he is looking forward to what the future holds for him, his girlfriend Selina Söder, and the horses.

Raphael Netz's current horses

Dieudonné (*2013)

Raphael Netz has an outstanding horse in his stable in Dieudonné, which underlines his ambitions at the highest level of dressage. Under Netz's careful training, the eleven-year-old son of Dante Weltino has developed from a promising young horse into a successful Grand Prix horse.

Dieudonné, a Württemberger, came to Raphael Netz three and a half years ago, at that time still a stallion. Since then, Netz has systematically promoted him and trained him through various levels of dressage to Grand Prix maturity. This lengthy and intensive process has proven extremely successful, as the latest results show.

The pair reached a remarkable milestone at the end of May in Winterlingen. In their second Grand Prix, they took third place with an impressive 71.6 percent. Netz was particularly proud to have achieved this success without a whip, even though it was a national competition. This demonstrates not only his confidence in his own abilities and those of his horse, but also the high standards he sets in preparing Dieudonné for the international stage.

Dieudonné is not only an exceptionally talented horse, but also a symbol of Raphael Netz's skills and dedication to dressage. The collaboration between Netz and Dieudonné shows how important careful and long-term training is to be successful in top-level sport. With an eye on future international competitions, the pair faces exciting challenges that they are sure to master.

Great Escape Camelot (*2011)

Raphael Netz has found another outstanding partner in dressage in Great Escape Camelot, an impressive 12-year-old Dutch gelding and son of the famous Johnson. Together, they have made impressive progress in a short period of time and established themselves among the world's best.

Great Escape Camelot, affectionately known as “Grady,” began his career in the spring of 2014 as a three-year-old at the Lohnmoos riding stable in Switzerland. There, he was carefully broken in and successfully participated in promotional tests for four- and five-year-old horses. He achieved his first tournament successes at L level under Charlotte Pfeiffer Blanc at the beginning of 2017.

In late spring 2017, Camelot moved to the Wettstein family, where he was trained up to Grand Prix level under Estelle Wettstein. In addition to his dressage training, Camelot also took part in several show jumping competitions under Hans-Peter Konle. From 2019, Wettstein focused exclusively on dressage, and Camelot made his international debut at Small Tour level at the CDI Fot in September 2019. Within a short time, he moved up to the Medium Tour and reached Grand Prix level in 2021, impressing at the CDI Hagen and later in the U25 Tour in Compiègne.

In December 2022, Great Escape Camelot arrived in Aubenhausen, Germany, for further training, where Raphael Netz began working with him. In just a few months, Netz and Camelot have built an impressive partnership, which is already reflected in outstanding tournament results. Netz describes Camelot as a “little rascal” who peeks cheekily out of his stall and likes to be the center of attention. This similarity in character between rider and horse seems to be a recipe for success.

Netz and Camelot made their joint tournament debut in Stadl Paura, where they won their first Grand Prix with 71 percent and the Grand Prix Special the following day with 73.170 percent. These performances exceeded Netz's expectations and demonstrated the pair's great potential. In their first year of working together, Netz and Camelot competed in the World Cup Finals in Riyadh, which represented another major step forward in their career. Camelot, who initially enjoyed a break after this success, was then prepared for the German Championships (DM). Netz reports that Camelot is feeling fit and happy again and is ready to return to competition. Looking ahead, Raphael Netz plans to continue bringing Camelot to the international stage. He is convinced that Camelot has the potential to move up to the senior squad and continue competing at the highest level. Netz particularly appreciates Camelot's positive energy and willingness to develop and learn. The anticipation of the challenges ahead and the close collaboration with Camelot give hope for many more successes.

Most recently, we saw Raphael and Rappen dance through the arena at CHIO Aachen. The pair placed sixth in the Grand Prix and fifth in the Grand Prix Special.

Raphael Netz: Athletic achievements

Raphael Netz, a talented dressage rider from Germany, has achieved numerous successes throughout his career. Here are some of his most important sporting milestones and achievements:

Milestones and achievements:

• 2013: Accepted into the U16 national squad
• 2014: Bronze at the German Youth Championships in Zeiskam
• 2018: Gold riding badge 2019: Admitted to the U21 and U25 national squad, U25 European Team Champion and finalist for the Piaff Promotion Prize (dressage series for young riders)
• 2020: Bronze at the U25 European Championships in the individual classification and U25 European Team Vice Champion
• 2021: U25 European Champion individual and team in Hagen, Vice European Champion U25 freestyle, winner of the Piaff Promotion Prize in Mannheim, Vice German Champion U25 in Balve
• 2022: U25 European Champion individual, team and freestyle
• 2024: 2nd reserve for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with Great Escape Camelot

Tournament successes 2024

• 2024: 5th place, CDI4* Grand Prix Special, Aachen (73.000%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2024: 6th place, CDI4* Grand Prix, Aachen (72.587%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2024: 5th place, CDI-W Final Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, Riyadh (76.482%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2024: 5th place, CDI-W Final Grand Prix, Riyadh (72.003%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2024: 5th place, CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, Neumünster (78.040%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2024: 5th place, CDI-W Grand Prix, Neumünster (72.761%) with Great Escape Camelot

Tournament successes 2023

• 2023: 4th place, CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, Mechelen (80.215%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2023: 2nd place, CDI-W Grand Prix, Mechelen (73.152%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2023: 5th place, CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, Stuttgart (80.115%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2023: 5th place, CDI-W Grand Prix, Stuttgart (72.587%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2023: 4th place, CDI-W Grand Prix, Herning (72.652%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2023: 2nd place, CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, Wierzbna Bialy Las (76.830%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2023: 1st place, CDI-W Grand Prix, Wierzbna Bialy Las (73.065%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2023: 3rd place, CDIO4*-NC Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, Rotterdam (77.380%) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2023: 2nd place, CDIO4*-NC Team Classification, Rotterdam (8,000 points) with Great Escape Camelot
• 2023: 2nd place, CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, Munich-Riem (75.830%) with Great Escape Camelot

5 facts about Raphael Netz and Camelot

1. Camelot's character is like that of a little pony: he is always motivated, a little cheeky, and always wants attention. He always gives his best, tries to listen to his rider, and fights alongside him. Together, they dance in the dressage arena and enjoy their performance. This is how Raphael Netz describes his successful horse in an interview with us on the way to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024 in Riyadh.
2. The freestyle music for Camelot and Raphael for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024 in Riyadh was from the movie “How to Train Your Dragon.” When Raphael saw the film and heard the music, he thought of himself and Camelot.
3. No tournament is complete without Camelot's cuddly toy.
4. Meditation is an important ritual for Raphael Netz.
5. It is very important to Raphael not only to build a connection with his horses, but also to have a close friendship with them. In the following video, Raphael explains why friendship with horses is so important to him and how he defines it. His girlfriend Selina Söder also tells us more about Raphael, his character, and the connection he has with his horse Camelot:

Raphael Netz: The most important questions and answers

Does Raphael Netz have a girlfriend?

Yes, Raphael Netz is in a relationship with Selina Söder. The two have been a couple since 2021.

Are Raphael Netz and Selina Söder a couple?

Raphael Netz and Selina Söder have been in a relationship since 2021. They met over eleven years ago. Both describe their relationship as very harmonious and trusting.

Where does Raphael Netz live?

Raphael Netz's exact place of residence is not publicly known. As an active rider, he is often on the road at various training and tournament locations in Germany and Europe.

Who owns Camelot, Raphael Netz's horse?

Camelot is a sport horse that can regularly be seen under Raphael Netz's saddle. He is bred by C. Kerssens-Rademaker and owned by the Swiss duo Anna and Theres Boss.

How old is Raphael Netz?

Raphael Netz was born on March 24, 1999.

Where does Raphael Netz train?

Raphael Netz trains at various locations in Germany, which have changed over the years. For privacy reasons, specific training locations are usually not disclosed publicly.

Where does Raphael Netz ride?

As an active dressage rider, Raphael Netz competes in national and international tournaments, including FEI events and major German championships.